Electrolytic apparatus



c. M. WALTER.

'uzcmownc APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 12, I919- Patented Sept. 21, 1920.

-c M. WALTER. ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. 1919. I r

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0. M. WALTER.

ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS. APPLICATION FILED JUNE I2. 1919.

1,353,194. PatentedSept. 21, 1920.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

UNITED STATES PA ENT OFFICE- CECIL MONTAGUE WALTER, or FOUR oAKs, NEARBIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND ELECTROLYTIC APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I," CEoI'L MONTAGUE WALT R,B. So. of L vden, 'Lichfield Road, Four Oaks, near B irmingham, England,

engineeii, have invented certain new and useful mprovements in andRelating to Electrolytic Apparatus.

This'invention'relates to electrolytic apparatus and is moreparticularly intended for the treatment of tinned scrap and tinnedarticles of all kinds for-the recovery of the metals. i

. Electrolytic apparatus for thisand like purposes is,well known inwhich a drum for containing the' scrap or anode material is rotated in avat containing a suitable electrolyte and with cathode plates suspendedtherein. In some cases the'drum has been removable and a portion, orportions, of its surface has been removable to permit charging ordischarging to be performed.

One of the objects of my invention is to enable cathode plates to bedisposed to better advantage in relation to the body of. scrap orj'anodematerial within the drum.

Accordingly my invention consists in a drum in which cathode plates arearranged projecting internally and extending long-itudinally, that is inthe direction of the axis about which the drum rotates. Preferably thecathode plates are arranged ra-, dially and divide the drum into two ormore longitudinal compartments, suitable screens of expanded metal,gauze, or other materials permitting free access of the electrolyte tothe cathode, being arranged on each side of each cathode to prevent thescrap or anode material from contacting with the cathode.

Figure I is a sectional elevation of the apparatus- Fig. 2 is asectional end view thereof.

Fig. 3 showsin section a portion of one end of the dium drawn to. alarger scale.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the drum.

Fig. 5 is a detail of adevice used in arrangement for leading current tothe internal cathodes.

In this example a is a vat shown as adapted for steam heating by pipes band c is the drum with a hollow axle (1 supported on bearings onstandards 7. Externalcath odes g are arranged in the vat each suspendedfrom a rod it supported in brackets 7' from the vat to which rod currentis led ,drum is represented equidistant points Specification of LettersPatent. Patent d S t 21 192 Application filed .lune 12, 1919. Serial.No. 303,637.

or rods m, see F ig.v 2. A tray below the A at n. The drum is shown withsubstantial end plates 0 suitably perforated and thesemay be of spiderform,

of hexagonal shape on which is arranged expanded metal, gauze; or othersuitably perforated sides p for the drum. At three means of screens 9'for example of expanded metal secured to frame members al ng the axleand down each end plate trough members 2" may be secured, and withinthese insulating mem bers s of porcelain, porcelain enamel, or

Y other suitable material maybe secured and into the gutters or guidesin these members 8 cathode plates t may be slid.

By means of .the cathode plates and screens the drum is thus dividedinto longitudinal compartments (three being shown) and to thesecompartments suitable openings for chargingand discharging must beprovided. As an example at 'one side of each hinged members at Fig. 4may be arranged, with any suitable fastening such as a rod throughintermeshing eye plates 1:.

Any suitable means for leading current to theinternal cathode plates tmay be followed. As one example each plate is shown with a rolled edge win. which a rod wis arranged which projects at the ends and is embracedby clips 3/ secured to the end plates ofthe drum but insulatedtherefrom. The constructionof the clips 3 is shown ,at Figs. 3 and 5.Into the clips y we may secure copper rods 2 forming conductors andconnected to a slip ring 2. -In the illustrated construction three rods2 are united at 3 (Fig. 2) and from the junction a lead is carried ateach end of the drum through an insulating sleeve 4 into the insulatedbore of the axle d and so to .the slip ring 52.

If desired instead of a removable drum for charging and dischargingpurposes I may provide a removable basket or lining for eachcompartment.

With this arrangement a number of cathode plates may be disposed in onedrum so that each plate has-both its surfaces exthe drum is divided by(spitable angle or other Q posed for deposition. The cathode is Withinthe mass or general body'of the scrap within the drum, although thelatter is prevented from contacting with it, and each cathode plate isreadily removable and replaceable so that the tin oXid or the likedeposited therein can be recovered.

The arrangement isja very convenient one for working, and lends itselffor application to large plants and lar e quantities of scrap can bedealt with and 'detinned in a more rapid manner than hitherto.

' -It will be understood that my invention is. not restricted to theparticular constructional details given but comprises the pro-- visionwithin the anode drum itself of'removable longitudinally disposedcathode latesor members suitably protected from he anode material withinthe drum or container.

I claim- 1., Electrolytic apparatus comprising a fixed vat forcontaining the electrolyte, a,

container drum for the material to be treated, said drum being rotatablein said vat, internally projecting cathode plates arranged in said drum,said plates being longitudinally disposed, and means for retaining thesaid material out of contact with said plates while permitting readyaccess for the electrolyte to th e plates.

2. Electrolytic apparatus for detinning processes comprising a fixed vatfor the' electrolyte, a rotatable container drum therein for the anodematerial under treatment, internal cathode plates radially andlongitudinally disposed in said drum, per-' meable meansfor preventingthe said anode material from contacting with said plates,

said plates and said permeable means dividing the drum'into a pluralityof compartments.

3. Electrolytic apparatus for detinning rotatable in said vat, said drumbeing .divided into compartments, radial cathode plates between screensat the divisions of the drum, said cathode plates being retained byconductor rods engaged in clips secured to the end plates of the drum,and current leads connected to the clips.

'6. Electrolytic apparatus for detinning processes comprising a fixedvat for the electrolyte, a. rotatable container drum therein for theanode material under treatment, internal cathode plates radially andlongitudinally disposed in said drum, permeable means for preventing thesaid anode material from contacting with said plates,

said plates and said permeable means dividing the drum into. a pluralityof compartments, and a removable permeable vbasket or lining in eachcompartment of the drum to contain the anode material.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signa ture CECIL MONTAGUE WALTER.

